Another residential area could be developed in western Ballarat, according to a state government website. Development Victoria's Ballarat West Employment Zone website includes a page on 'Ballarat Residential', marked "coming soon". "Development Victoria, in partnership with the City of Ballarat and Regional Development Victoria, is preparing to announce an exciting new residential land development in Ballarat," the website states. "This strictly limited release of expansive 2,000-plus (square metre) home sites in Ballarat will provide the perfect mix of country space and city lifestyle." BWEZ maps show a future residential zone earmarked to the south-west of the site, north of Blind Creek Road, south of the Ballarat-Ararat railway line, adjacent to the Skipton Rail Trail. More information is expected soon from the state government. Meanwhile, Ballarat's proposed intermodal freight hub, on the other side of the tracks, is a step closer. The state government called for developers to submit expressions of interest for the project, which would plug in businesses at BWEZ to the rail freight network and the Western Freeway, connecting them to western Victoria and Adelaide, as well as ports in Melbourne, Geelong, and Portland. A party to design, develop, and operate the terminal is being sought, through a lease agreement with VicTrack, according to a City of Ballarat statement. The federal government has already committed $9.1 million for the freight hub's development, and six hectares of land has been set aside for the terminal. Development Victoria's property group head Neil Anderson said when complete, the project will minimise freight costs and improve the region's competitiveness. READ MORE: BWEZ freight hub encouraged "The EOI process for the Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub has been designed to identify potential freight hub developers and operators, and to gauge the interest levels for involvement in this project. The process ensures the best possible outcomes for the project and the region," he said in a statement. "The Intermodal Freight Hub is a significant part of the BWEZ project, and local businesses have expressed strong support and interest in the project, and the rail freight opportunities it presents." The BWEZ project includes 438 hectares adjacent to the Ballarat Link Road and the Ballarat airport. READ MORE: BWEZ: Luv-a-Duck construction to begin this month The 72 hectares of stage 1 and 1B are now complete, with 55 hectares of this land sold or subject to expressions of interest - negotiations are continuing for the remaining land. More than 500 people are expected to be employed there based on sales to date. About 10 businesses have established themselves or are building at the site, while the City of Ballarat has previously stated it is investigating building an all-waste interchange, to sort recyclable material, and a potential waste-to-energy power plant. One of the proposed businesses is intending to build the world's greenest brewery and a 10,000 seat live music venue with a zipline. City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said it was encouraging to see the freight hub works moving forward. "The City of Ballarat has worked closely with Development Victoria on this process and we see exceptional value in having an intermodal freight hub located at the Ballarat West Employment Zone, with the site's access to road, broad gauge rail and aviation infrastructure," he said in a statement. Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.

Another residential area could be developed in western Ballarat, according to a state government website.

Development Victoria's Ballarat West Employment Zone website includes a page on 'Ballarat Residential', marked "coming soon".

"Development Victoria, in partnership with the City of Ballarat and Regional Development Victoria, is preparing to announce an exciting new residential land development in Ballarat," the website states.

A screenshot of the Development Victoria website.

"This strictly limited release of expansive 2,000-plus (square metre) home sites in Ballarat will provide the perfect mix of country space and city lifestyle."

BWEZ maps show a future residential zone earmarked to the south-west of the site, north of Blind Creek Road, south of the Ballarat-Ararat railway line, adjacent to the Skipton Rail Trail.

More information is expected soon from the state government.

A map of BWEZ from Development Victoria - the proposed future residential zone is in pink in the south-west corner. Click to expand

Meanwhile, Ballarat's proposed intermodal freight hub, on the other side of the tracks, is a step closer.

The state government called for developers to submit expressions of interest for the project, which would plug in businesses at BWEZ to the rail freight network and the Western Freeway, connecting them to western Victoria and Adelaide, as well as ports in Melbourne, Geelong, and Portland.

A party to design, develop, and operate the terminal is being sought, through a lease agreement with VicTrack, according to a City of Ballarat statement.

The federal government has already committed $9.1 million for the freight hub's development, and six hectares of land has been set aside for the terminal.

Development Victoria's property group head Neil Anderson said when complete, the project will minimise freight costs and improve the region's competitiveness.

"The EOI process for the Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub has been designed to identify potential freight hub developers and operators, and to gauge the interest levels for involvement in this project. The process ensures the best possible outcomes for the project and the region," he said in a statement.

"The Intermodal Freight Hub is a significant part of the BWEZ project, and local businesses have expressed strong support and interest in the project, and the rail freight opportunities it presents."

The BWEZ project includes 438 hectares adjacent to the Ballarat Link Road and the Ballarat airport.

The 72 hectares of stage 1 and 1B are now complete, with 55 hectares of this land sold or subject to expressions of interest - negotiations are continuing for the remaining land.

More than 500 people are expected to be employed there based on sales to date.

About 10 businesses have established themselves or are building at the site, while the City of Ballarat has previously stated it is investigating building an all-waste interchange, to sort recyclable material, and a potential waste-to-energy power plant.

One of the proposed businesses is intending to build the world's greenest brewery and a 10,000 seat live music venue with a zipline.

City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said it was encouraging to see the freight hub works moving forward.

"The City of Ballarat has worked closely with Development Victoria on this process and we see exceptional value in having an intermodal freight hub located at the Ballarat West Employment Zone, with the site's access to road, broad gauge rail and aviation infrastructure," he said in a statement.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.